Scramjet launch may mean supersonic travel

23 March 2006

A new jet engine crafted to fly seven times the speed of sound is scheduled to launch over Australia on Friday. Hyshot III is a scramjet engine and has has been designed by a British defence firm Qinetiq.

If the first flight is successful, it could pave the way for ultrafast, intercontinental air travel.

The engine will launch on a rocket owned by the University of Queensland.——-